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After CNA Training – Avoiding Injury

According to a study conducted by RTI International, more than 60% of all CNAs experience injuries on the job soon after their CNA training is complete. Although some injuries cannot be avoided, most are preventable. Let’s take a look at the most common work related injuries after CNA training, along with some safety tips and help to keep you safe on the job.

Most Common Work Related Injuries After CNA Training

44% reported scratches, cuts and open wounds

17% reported back injuries

16% reported black eyes and other bruising

15% reported strained and pulled muscles

11% reported human bites

How Injuries After CNA Training Affected Work Performance

16% had restricted duties as a result of their injuries

24% were completely unable to work for a period of time

How Many CNAs Experience Repeated Injuries After CNA Training

Surprisingly, we don’t necessarily learn from our mistakes. An alarming 65% of CNA’s were injured more than once per year according to the study and 12% reported injuries more than 10 times per year! Are you one of the unfortunate CNA’s who falls into the “10 times or more per year” category? We certainly hope not, but since this is an ever growing problem, especially when many medical facilities are completely understaffed, here is some solid advice for the aide fresh out of CNA training.

How to Avoid Injuries After CNA Training

Get Enough Sleep – After CNA training, you’ll be adjusting to a new career and possibly long shifts. Sometimes new CNAs will need to take any shift available, and this might just be the midnight shift. A solid 7-8 hours of sleep each night will ensure you are alert, thinking clearly and able to quickly assess situations and avoid accidents.

Be Fully Trained on Every Piece of Equipment – The hesitant or less than confident CNA is more likely to be hurt or make a mistake. Even though you’ve completed CNA training and feel as if you should know everything, no one expects this of you. It actually proves that you have a high level of integrity when you ask for assistance or pointers on equipment, even if it’s just to double check whether or not you know the right way to operate it.

Practice Safe Lifting – Your CNA training spent a good amount of time training you how to properly lift a patient. You also learned the limits of the type of patient you could lift by yourself. Always use a lift or ask for help from a coworker.

Eat Properly – Working in a high stress and fast paced environment demands that you are on your A-game and able to complete a full 8 hours or more of manual labor, multi-tasking, working against deadlines, and constantly adjusting your expectations to accommodate situations. If you don’t keep your body running it’s best, you’re more likely to crash and burn, –and of course, this can lead to accidents and injuries.

Don’t be an ill-prepared aide after CNA training! Get your rest, remember your training, and take care of yourself. For more information on CNA training and careers, continue to follow our blog.